The Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, consisting of Their Eminences Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Iosif of Buenos Aires, and the Reverend Patriarchal Deacon Varnavas Grigoriadis, traveled to Rome to participate in the Thronal Feast of the Church of Rome. On 28 June, they took part in the conversations with the members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, during which they discussed current issues of the two Churches. They were received by His Holiness Pope Francis in a private audience, in the presence of His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, His Excellency Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council, and Monsignor Andrea Palmieri, Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council.

At the audience, Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon read the letter from His All-Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, addressed to His Holiness Pope Francis. His Holiness Pope Francis responded with his address. The delegation was then received for lunch by His Holiness Pope Francis. On 29 June, the members of the delegation will attend the Solemn Mass for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul at Saint Peter’s Basilica.